I—SIR WALTER SCOTT
1. Story of His Life: in the Country—Love of the Scottish countryside; saturation with old legends as a child; interest in odd characters.
2. Story of His Life: in the City—Homes in Edinburgh; relation to the law; his personal friends; his connection with the Ballantynes and publishing; his marriage and family; the building of Abbotsford; the last years.
3. As a Poet—Influence of ballads; simplicity of form.
4. Readings from His Poetry—Lay of the Last Minstrel; Lady of the Lake.
5. As a Novelist—The anonymous Waverley; rapidity of production; historic scope of the novels.
6. Readings from His Novels—Guy Mannering (Meg Merrilies); Ivanhoe (the tourney); Heart of Midlothian (Effie Deans).
Discussion—A comparison of Scott with later writers of historical novels.
Books to Consult—Lockhart: Life of Scott. R. H. Hutton: Scott (English Men of Letters Series). Washington Irving's account of his visit to Abbotsford.
Have a talk on Scott's romantic love-story and his later courtship and marriage. Give an account of his friendships, especially of that with Marjorie Fleming, and read from Dr. Brown's book about her life. Tell of the dogs Scott loved. Describe Abbotsford and Melrose; describe his death and the burial at Dryburgh; use as many photographs as can be obtained.